Final answer:
Daoism and Legalism were shaped by differing views on human nature, with Daoism focusing on aligning with the natural order and Legalism emphasizing the need for strict laws and harsh punishments to control innate human impulses and maintain societal order.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ideas about human nature fundamentally shaped Daoism and Legalism in ancient China, influencing their approaches to governance and morality. Daoist beliefs emphasized aligning with the dao, or the natural order of things, and advocated for minimal interference with natural processes, leading to a more laissez-faire approach in both personal conduct and statecraft.
Conversely, Legalism operated under the premise that humans required strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain social order, as evidenced by Legalist philosophers such as Han Feizi and Xunzi, who viewed human nature as necessitating firm state control to avoid chaos.
This contrasting view of human nature led to the development of a systemic and codified form of law and governance, where a supreme ruler enforced obedience and punished transgressions with certainty. These differing views on human nature not only shaped their respective philosophies but also their methods of ruling and the legal practices of the time.